LHS cadets shine at leadership program

Lockhart High School Air Force JROTC Cadets Wyatt Brown, Amanda Ross, and Jacob Zardiackas were recognized as honor graduates of the AFJROTC Cadet Leadership Course for being in the top 10 percent in their class at the leadership program this month. This is the seventh year in a row that LHS cadets have earned this prestigious distinction.

Approximately 320 cadets from a total of 17 Texas AFJROTC programs come together each summer for CLC at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas. This intense 5-day course of instruction provides an opportunity for the Corps’ top cadets to exercise their leadership and management skills.

The cadets started their day with “reveille” at 4:45 a.m. and were challenged mentally and physically in different tasks and activities until “lights out” at 10:00 p.m. Cadets participated in daily physical training, uniform inspections, and team building exercises. They also received classroom instruction on leadership, problem solving, communication, and management topics.

"All cadets who attended CLC are in the top 10 percent of their high school JROTC programs,” said Senior Aerospace Science Instructor Major Ricardo Cisneros. “We demonstrated once again that not only can we compete against other top cadets, but we can earn top honors while doing so."

AFJROTC’s goal is to develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community. The cadet-led program is designed to teach high school students a variety of values, including leadership, character development and volunteerism. In the last school year alone, LHS cadets accumulated over 2,300 volunteer hours in community service.